Reflecting back on Daisuke's struggles in the bottom of the first which Cleveland could not capitalize on, that's the kind of squander it feels like we've been saddled with all season. It feels so good for the shoe to be on the other foot.

Back to what we talked about way back --the tougher hitters, with us having a 1-0 lead, came up for them in the eighth. You had said that Pap should come in for the eighth in that case. But this is what I said--that that theory would work in a world where we can't trust anybody out of the pen other than Jon. But with Jeemer, it's a no doubter--he in the 8th, Pap in the 9th. Do you agree, or do you still say go Pap in the 8th, when the 8th poses more of a challenge than the 9th will? I guess this question goes out to everybody.

Jere, not there for that discussion probably, but I think for this season the current system (Oki always for the 8th, Pap for the 9th) is fine.

Another option to consider is "platooning" them. Paps is actually better against LHHs this season, but certainly wasn't in 2006, so that may be temporary. More LHHs in the 8th? Go with Oki. 8th filled with RHHs or SHs? Paps.

This season, they're both equally brutal to the opposition, so I wouldn't suggest changing their inning placements based on that. Should Oki regress next season, certainly might need to change our minds about that.

Also, when does MDC enter the discussion? Not as full-time or backup closer, but let's say it's a team dominated by RHHs. Tough ones for Paps in the 8th, MDC to finish it off rather than Oki?

Well, I think either of them have shown the ability to be closer, and MDC is fairly close. However, the closer by committee thing is NOT going to happen again, even though the situation is completely different. I don't think Paps has a lot more value than jeemer, and i think they should be shifted at will, but it's not going to happen.